Is $21,000 a good salary in Nebraska?

$21,000 in Nebraska provides a monthly take-home of approximately $1,512 after taxes. Across major Nebraska cities, this salary is rated not recommended, with an average monthly surplus of $-693.

What is the cost of living on $21,000 in Nebraska?

The average monthly living cost across major Nebraska cities is approximately $2,205 for a single adult (rent, food, transport, utilities, healthcare). On $21,000 take-home pay of $1,512/month, you would have roughly $-693/month remaining.

Living in Nebraska · 2026

Is $21,000 enough to live in Nebraska?

Single adult · NE · 2026 tax brackets · Real cost-of-living data

Statewide verdict:Not recommended

Monthly take-home

$1,512

Avg monthly expenses

$2,205

Avg monthly surplus

$-693

Savings potential

~0%

After-tax take-home in Nebraska

Gross salary$21,000

Federal income tax− $550

State income tax− $698

Social Security− $1,302

Medicare− $305

Annual take-home$18,145

Effective tax rate13.6%

How $21,000 feels in Nebraska cities

Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · Food: USDA Low-Cost Plan × COL · Transport/Utilities/Healthcare: BLS CES × COL

Omaha

COL index: 0.95× national avg

Not recommended

Rent (1BR)

$1,200

Food

$409

Transport

$166

Utilities

$157

Healthcare

$190

Total: $2,122/mo

Surplus: $-610/mo

Rent burden: 79.4% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Omaha analysis →

Lincoln

COL index: 0.93× national avg

Very tight

Rent (1BR)

$1,100

Food

$405

Transport

$163

Utilities

$153

Healthcare

$186

Total: $2,007/mo

Surplus: $-495/mo

Rent burden: 72.7% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Lincoln analysis →

Bellevue

COL index: 1.68× national avg

Not recommended

Rent (1BR)

$2,600

Food

$418

Transport

$294

Utilities

$277

Healthcare

$336

Total: $3,925/mo

Surplus: $-2,413/mo

Rent burden: 171.9% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Bellevue analysis →

Grand Island

COL index: 0.83× national avg

Very tight

Rent (1BR)

$900

Food

$387

Transport

$145

Utilities

$137

Healthcare

$166

Total: $1,735/mo

Surplus: $-223/mo

Rent burden: 59.5% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Grand Island analysis →

Kearney

COL index: 0.82× national avg

Very tight

Rent (1BR)

$880

Food

$383

Transport

$144

Utilities

$135

Healthcare

$164

Total: $1,706/mo

Surplus: $-194/mo

Rent burden: 58.2% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Kearney analysis →

Fremont

COL index: 0.83× national avg

Very tight

Rent (1BR)

$900

Food

$387

Transport

$145

Utilities

$137

Healthcare

$166

Total: $1,735/mo

Surplus: $-223/mo

Rent burden: 59.5% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Fremont analysis →

50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner

Based on your monthly take-home of $1,512 ($18,144/yr)

Needs 50%Wants 30%Savings 20%

Needs50%

$756

per month

›Rent / mortgage
›Groceries
›Utilities
›Insurance
›Minimum debt payments
›Transportation

Wants30%

$454

per month

›Dining out
›Streaming services
›Gym
›Hobbies
›Travel
›Shopping

Savings20%

$302

per month

›Emergency fund
›401(k) / IRA
›Investments
›Down payment fund
›Debt payoff (extra)

Needs / year

$9,072

Wants / year

$5,443

Savings / year

$3,629

Salary Intelligence

Financial pressure in Omaha

Rent alone would take 79% of take-home income. This salary creates significant financial pressure in this city — a $48,000 annual income or lower rent is needed to reach affordability.

Lifestyle score: 2.1/10 (Difficult)

Lifestyle Assessment

A $21,000 salary does not fully cover typical living expenses for a single adult in Omaha, Nebraska. Monthly costs exceed take-home pay by $610, indicating this income is insufficient for an independent lifestyle here without additional income or reduced spending.

Purchasing Power

Omaha is near the national cost-of-living average (index: 0.95). $21,000 here is roughly equivalent to $40,895 in San Francisco or $19,453 in an affordable city like Birmingham.

State & National Benchmark

$21,000 is 51% below the Nebraska individual median of $43,200. Consider negotiating a higher salary or exploring higher-paying roles in this state.

State individual median

$43,200

-51%

State household median

$74,594

-72%

Tax reduction strategies

Maximize 401(k) Contributions — Up to $5,170 in federal tax (22% bracket)

Contribute to a Traditional IRA — Up to $1,540 in federal tax (22% bracket)

$21,000 vs. Nebraska income benchmarks

Individual median (Nebraska)

$43,200

-51% vs. this salary

Household median (Nebraska)

$74,594

-72% vs. this salary

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 2023

Related salary insights

Explore other salary levels in Nebraska

$40,000 $60,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $300,000

Reviewed by

Finance Editor

CPA, 10+ years in personal finance

Data Sources

•Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
•Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
•Cost-of-living index: C2ER / ACCRA Cost of Living Index

Data updated monthly using government datasets.